It is the second time that the daylong event has been held at the campus. Last year, the group helped in a number of areas on the 12-acre campus – from general cleanup and organizing, to working in the community garden.

David Bridge, managing director of the campus, notes that volunteer efforts at last year’s inaugural event made the pilot of the Brian Garcia Welcome Center possible – and since then, more than 5,000 people have come through the welcome center and been assessed and directed to needed resources.

“This event brings together students, faculty and staff for a special, invigorated recognition of the work that is being done on the Human Service Campus, and also showcases opportunities and needs for student volunteer service, applied research, student internships and many other forms of college support throughout the entire year,” says Dale Larsen, director of community relations for the College of Public Programs.

The Human Services Campus is a unique collaboration of over a dozen service agencies and community partners. Each day, clients coming to the center find shelter, medical, employment and housing resources. The campus is also home to a community garden, which provides over 2,000 pounds of food and valuable training to clients on the campus.

Bridge noted that the campus is working with its partners to implement evidence-based best practices, including collaboration and housing solutions that make it possible to “end homelessness in our community.” Phoenix has already demonstrated the effectiveness of these strategies by becoming the first city in America to end chronic homelessness for veterans. Bridge was excited to have ASU be a part of these community efforts.

“The solutions are there,” says David Smith, COO, St. Vincent de Paul. He told students that they “are the cusp generation to take knowledge gained of homelessness and recidivism, and actually solve them.”

Jonathan Koppell, dean of the College of Public Programs, says that the work during Day of Service touches on every aspect of the college.

“The campus connects the substance of our programs – social work, criminology, nonprofit management, public administration – to the actual challenges and solutions in our community,” he says.

“No matter what you are studying, this is an opportunity to apply those lessons to real life,” he told students at the event. “Your work contributes to the success of the campus and has an impact on the lives of the people here.”

This year, the event was planned by students in a PRM 486 class taught by college events manager, Michelle Oldfield.

Michelle Green, a general studies student in the School of Letters and Sciences, said, “Not only did I get to participate as a volunteer, but I got to assist in planning this Day of Service that reached so many people.

“The Day of Service is an awesome opportunity for college students to get out into their community and really give back. I believe events like this are extremely beneficial; they help those less fortunate, and allow for students to get out of their comfort zone and gain a sense of purpose,” she said.

“I’ve been a part of a few ASU Day of Service events in Tempe before, but this was my first time doing one based out of the Downtown Phoenix campus,” says Ellyse Crow, a management and business communication major in the W. P. Carey School of Business. “It was unique because the location that we were serving was so close to campus, and the facilities serve a population that I see regularly when I’m downtown. So it was cool to know who I was helping.

“I want to work in university administration one day,” Crow explains. “Sharing with others the importance of giving back to your community is an important life lesson, and one that is especially powerful in college. University students have so much influence that is never realized. I think being active in the community and opportunities like this bring some of that out.”

Editor’s Note: If you are inspired by the service of these students and would like to volunteer, please visit VolunteerMatch.org.

Phoenix Mayor Greg Stanton today unveiled the name and logo for the region’s new bike sharing program before attendees at the National Association of City Transportation Officials at the Hotel Palomar. Called GRID, the system will employ a fleet of fluorescent green bicycles that are rentable by the hour or through annual memberships. The bikes are emblazoned with an upbeat, smiling logo, and encourage users to “ride happy!”

GRID is ready for action.

“GRID is going to be a fun, healthy and affordable way to extend the reach of our transit system for residents, commuters and visitors,” Stanton said, noting that approximately 50 other U.S. metro areas will have similar programs in place by next year.

“If our region is going to compete globally, we need GRID to help attract those high-wage employers and bright, educated young workers who want livable cities and multiple transit options.”

Stanton said the Grid Bike Share name speaks to the many connections that link the neighborhoods and communities throughout the Valley, which was planned and built on a “grid” network of streets.

Where will go on GRID?

CycleHop, LLC has been contracted to establish and operate the new bike share network that will include up to 500 bicycles throughout the city of Phoenix, followed by another 500 in Mesa and Tempe. Using the most up-to-date bike sharing technology available, users will be able to make reservations, purchase day passes or longer-term memberships at kiosks, online or via smartphone apps. GRID’s “smart bikes” are equipped with solar-powered, GPS-enabled locks, and can be parked at any of the special kiosks or traditional public bike racks, providing users immense flexibility and convenience.

At last! Today was the day we got official word on the mysterious goings-on at the old Beef Eaters building at 3rd Ave. and Camelback Road.

Rumors have abounded and well over 100 people, including families from the neighborhood, business people, bankers, builders and just plain folks, gathered at 10 a.m. this morning to celebrate the plans to revitalize the site. The excitement was palpable on everyone’s smiling faces.

From 1961 through 2006, Beef Eaters was a central gathering place for Phoenicians to share meals, celebrate special events, and craft the business deals that shaped our Valley. When owner Jay Newton died in 2006, the restaurant shut its doors and the building sat empty. Now adaptive reuse developers Venue Projects have stepped up with a remarkable vision to bring the site back to life.

Central Phoenix-based Venue Projects principle Lorenzo Perez told the crowd of Venue’s dedication to finding and adapting buildings with history, a story to tell, and a strong sense of place. Jon Kitchell, another principle with Venue added, “We’re salvage hounds and love finding materials worthy of putting back into place, like black leather booths and the Queen Creek adobe bricks of this place.”

Working with John Douglas Architects, they’ll be uncovering the bones of the building and incorporating the treasures they discover back into the new uses for the site.

“Jay Newton’s Beef Eaters legacy will continue with a new interpretation of his iconic gathering place,” said Kitchell. To honor the past, the new complex will be called The Newton.

The Newton rendering.

The Newton is co-owned by Venue Projects and two of the three businesses that will comprise the site. Co-owners include the nationally renowned, independent, community-based bookstore, Changing Hands, which will open its second Valley location at the site; and Justin and Michelle Beckett, current owners of Beckett’s Table, who will open a new neighborhood restaurant concept at The Newton. The third occupant will be The Lively Hood, a co-working space for creative professionals. Construction has begun and the goal is to reopen on November 1.

These three businesses will continue Jay Newton’s Beef Eaters legacy. Located just across the street from the light rail station, the bookstore, restaurant and co-working space will be active community gathering spaces that energize the neighborhood and encourage people to work together.

Shannon Scutari of Sustainable Communities Collaborative summed up the thrill experienced by everyone gathered when she referenced an old African proverb. “If you want to go fast, go alone. If you want to go far, go with others. This place,” said Scutari, “is going to be about going it with others.”

The salon, a second for Phoenix resident and Owner D’Lisa Shayn Ledgewood, is a place where sophistication and playfulness intersect. Clients are encouraged to harness their own personal interpretation of current trends and timeless looks – all while experiencing the good-vibe energy Salon D’Shayn has to offer.

Since 2008, Salon D’Shayn has been considered the “place to go” for Brazilian waxing – for both men and women – since opening its first location in Scottsdale. Other notable mentions include a #1 Rating on Yelp!; “Best Place to Get Waxed” in 944 Magazine Reader’s Picks and AZ Central’s “Best of 2012.”

Grand Opening Celebration
The grand opening celebration will include light appetizers and drinks; mix-and-mingle time with the salon staff; an 8 p.m. performance by Scandalesque; and live DJ.

A whistle blows. Teammates pant. The musty gym smell mixes with an odor of sweat, exertion, and intensity.

It feels like an extreme practice for some varsity sport. But in a 1928 warehouse located in Downtown Phoenix’s Warehouse District, the South Central Gym whips an assorted group of adults into shape—old-school style.

Simple, Tough

The run-down brick building appears abandoned on a quiet Sunday morning. Passing by, one wouldn’t give it a second glance before deciding the warehouse probably shut down years ago. But inside The Duce, a gym/restaurant/bar/retail store, the surprisingly hip urban atmosphere pairs with a unique collection of workout equipment for the ultimate fitness haven.

A boxing ring pushed toward the back of the building stands about four feet off the ground, and two punching bags hang dauntingly nearby.

No fancy weight machines.

Not a single treadmill or elliptical.

Dumbbells, workout benches, and an exercise ball line the back wall, but there’s no digital screens or beeping instruments in sight. A rusted bell hangs close to the ring, retired from its duty of starting and ending boxing matches.

“Knock me out, knock me out,” a trainer yells from the ring. He holds a hand up, protected by red padding, and blocks the jab of his female opponent.

“Kill it, kill it, c’mon!”

Luis Machado, a mixed martial arts trainer, teaches people of all ages, shapes and sizes at South Central Gym. He trains amateurs and real MMA fighters, and he said his students “train till they pass out.”

“Straight up, like this,” Machado tells the woman, showing her how to swing the over-sized black gloves with impressive force. The trainer’s knowledge of boxing techniques and his motivational coaching add to the gym’s down-to-business atmosphere.

But the head coach, Steve Rosenstein, really sets the mood upon entering the South Central Gym.

He blows his whistle to start class. “Let’s go!”

The Gritty and the Pretty

As a former wrestler for the University of Arizona, Rosenstein knows his stuff when it comes to athletic training. He opened South Central Gym back in the fall of 2010, which is when he and his wife first started their multi-purpose business at The Duce.

“I’m the gritty, she’s the pretty,” Rosenstein said.

His vision involved an old-school gym where he could get people back to basics with their workout routines. So he bought a boxing ring on Craigslist, and his idea for the South Central Gym fell into place.

“This is like the antithesis of a Gold’s Gym or one of those elite health clubs,” Rosenstein said. “The setting here creates a whole different kind of atmosphere. You’re in an old warehouse, working out in a retro boxing ring…and there’s no technology here except for my iPod.”

Rosenstein decided the boxing ring was a necessity because “boxing is about as old-school as you can get.” He said the ring has become somewhat famous, and its uses have varied from concerts to weddings to a stage for the former Phoenix mayor, Phil Gordon.

Along with the ring, Rosenstein threw in some chin-up bars, dip bars, jump ropes and even old tires to keep the gym simple, yet challenging.

“This place is designed to make us fit,” he said. “But it also takes us back to a simpler time that we all kind of miss anyway.”

We all ‘Need a Minute’

When class is in session, Rosenstein’s students pant, sweat, and push themselves beyond their usual limits to reach whatever fitness goals they may have. The coach added that he keeps it fun, but he also wants his class focused and motivated.

“Lisa! What are you doing over there?!” Rosenstein yells during a push-up drill.

“I just need a minute, I’ll join you,” replies Lisa Khan, 50, who sat down for a short breather.

“Yeah? We all ‘need a minute!’”

“Oh, jeez,” she sighs, jumping back into the drill.

Khan, an attorney from Arcadia, said she has been coming to the South Central Gym for about a year, and she added that this type of exercise “keeps you young.”

“The space is absolutely fantastic,” she said. “It’s great for cross-training and reaching your fitness goals, and it’s just a great place to sweat in.”

The sweat is certainly not in short supply for anyone working out at the South Central Gym. All of the members work hard and constantly cheer each other on, providing an ideal environment for getting fit and reaching aspirations.

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